Super PAC Spends Big On Marlborough, Worcester Candidates

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A political action committee funded by some of the biggest corporations in Massachusetts is spending money on candidates in city-level races across the state — including in Marlborough, Worcester, and Framingham. The Massachusetts Majority Independent Expenditure PAC has spent close to $300,000 to support about 15 candidates running in 2019.

The PAC spent about $14,600 supporting incumbent Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant. Donna Colorio, a former Worcester School Committee member running for mayor, received support worth $38,000, and $24,500 was spent to support Framingham City Council candidate Janet Leombruno. Campaign finance laws do not allow PACs to coordinate with candidates, so they would not know ahead of time about the spending.

The MMIE PAC was founded in May and has received close to $1 million from some of the state's biggest business leaders — like Wayfair chairman Steven Conine ($50,000), dealership owner Daniel J. Quirk ($50,000), and Granite Telecommunications CEO Robert Hale ($100,000).

The PAC has spent about $267,000 on direct mail ads created by the Pennsylvania firm Red Maverick Media, which has focused on electing Republicans in that state.

Vigeant said he was surprised by the PAC's support of his campaign, which has come in the form of at least two mailers sent to Marlborough voters. Vigeant, who is a Republican, believes the PAC is supporting middle-of-the-road candidates.

"This is something new that hit us that we weren't expecting," he said. "From the little I do know, it sounds like [the PAC] is trying to bring some common sense back to the two parties."

Many of the biggest donors to the MMIE PAC have given to Massachusetts Republican causes, but not exclusively. Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah, for example, has in the past given to Congressman Seth Moulton and congressional candidate Dan Koh, both Democrats — but he also gave close to $34,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2018, according to federal records.

READ: PAC Drops Big Money In Framingham Council Race

While the PAC has supported Republicans like Vigeant, Colorio, Leombruno, and Boston City Council candidate — and former state GOP chair — Jennifer Nassour, some Democrats got help. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno got close to $14,000, and Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale got about $5,400.

Vigeant came through the October preliminary ahead of challenger David Garceau, who is self-financing his mayoral campaign. Colorio is challenging incumbent Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty in a four-way race.